Fishing Coldwater Lake

Coldwater Lake offers solid Northern Pike fishing with fish reaching 24-inch legal size at 5 years and growing to 34 inches, though harvest pressure is high on larger fish. The Largemouth Bass fishery is average with 6% of fish reaching the 14-inch minimum, but tournament pressure doesn't seem to hurt the population. The real sleeper here might be the Redear Sunfish and hybrid sunfish — Redears average 8.8 inches with 61% over 8 inches and excellent growth rates (+1.1 index), while hybrids are significantly larger than bluegills with 41% over 8 inches. Bluegill fishing is tough with heavy competition keeping most fish small — only 16% exceed 6 inches and it takes 5 years to reach that size. The lake's extensive marl bottom and limited vegetation creates open fishing but reduces cover for young fish. Predators make up 45% of the total fish biomass, approaching the threshold where predator-prey balance becomes problematic. Yellow Perch average 6.2 inches with some fish reaching nearly 13 inches. The lake's 62% armored shoreline and heavy development limit natural habitat, though Coldwater Lake State Park provides some undisturbed areas. Dissolved oxygen remains good to 29 feet during summer stratification, with the thermocline starting around 18 feet. The invasive Starry Stonewort is present but under active chemical control. Despite decades of Walleye stocking through 2012, none were found in the 2014 survey — spring fingerlings get hammered by the abundant predators. This 1,610-acre lake reaches 92 feet deep and connects to eight other lakes in the chain, providing Northern Pike with spawning habitat in adjacent wetlands. The lake supports 29-32 bass tournaments annually, making it one of Michigan's most tournament-fished waters.